Users cling to Windows 10 as hardware limits drive increased PC sales and Linux gains popularity

Despite the official end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025, millions of users remain on the ageing OS, prompting continued hardware upgrades and a surge in alternative operating systems like Linux, amid hardware constraints and strict Windows 11 requirements.

Despite Microsoft officially ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025, a large portion of users continue to rely on the ageing operating system rather than upgrading to Windows 11. According to Jeffrey Clarke, Chief Operating Officer of Dell, among the estimated 1.5 billion PCs worldwide, around 500 million machines are compatible with Windows 11 but have not yet made the transition. Additionally, there is another group of about 500 million PCs, roughly four years old or older, that cannot install Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. Clarke emphasised that this ongoing transition will keep driving PC sales into 2026, buoyed by the need to replace older devices and upgrade to systems compliant with newer software requirements.

Industry data from IDC supports this outlook, revealing a 9.4% increase in computer shipments in the third quarter of 2025. Jean Philippe Bouchard, Vice President of Research at IDC Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, noted regional disparities such as the North American market’s challenges with tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty, yet demand for newer, Windows 11-compatible PCs is expected to persist well into next year.

Microsoft has been offering Windows 11 as a free upgrade, but the stringent technical prerequisites significantly limit adoption. Key among these is the mandatory presence of a TPM 2.0 security module, which many perfectly functioning PCs lack. For those unable or unwilling to transition, alternatives such as Chrome OS Flex or Linux distributions provide viable options to extend device usability beyond Windows 10’s end of official support.

The conclusion of Windows 10 support means no further security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance will be provided after October 14, 2025. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme available for a fee, which prolongs security updates for one additional year. However, a notable change requires users to link their devices to a Microsoft account to access ESU, even if they pay, effectively ending support for local Windows accounts in this context. This has been met with frustration among users who value privacy or have incompatible hardware preventing migration to Windows 11.

Notably, Microsoft’s extension of support for Microsoft 365 apps and Windows Defender malware definitions on Windows 10 through October 2028 offers some reassurance for security-conscious users who are yet to move on from the older OS.

Meanwhile, a significant number of users are moving away from Microsoft’s ecosystem entirely. Reports highlight that Linux distributions, particularly Zorin OS, have seen substantial uptake among former Windows users. Zorin OS recently topped one million downloads after its latest release, with data suggesting that around 78% of these came from Windows users seeking a stable, familiar alternative capable of running on older or unsupported hardware. This trend is partly fuelled by concerns over Windows 11’s hardware demands, privacy issues, and the increasing integration of advertisements within the Microsoft environment.

Thus, while Windows 10 remains popular despite the end of official support, the landscape is shifting. Users face a choice between upgrading to Windows 11 under strict hardware conditions, paying for temporary extended security updates with new account constraints, or exploring alternative operating systems. At the same time, the persistent demand for PCs compatible with the latest software indicates ongoing market activity, with 2026 poised to be another year of transition and hardware replacement.

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Source: Noah Wire Services